Self-Condensing pH Sensor for Airway Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pH monitoring devices for respiratory diseases are invasive, uncomfortable, and limited in their ability to accurately measure pH in the respiratory tract, particularly in the upper airway, due to their invasive nature and susceptibility to dehydration and contamination, which compromises their accuracy and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A self-condensing pH sensor system with a catheter-mounted transmitter and hydration sensing circuitry, allowing for real-time pH monitoring in the oropharynx region, featuring a silver chloride reference element and antimony sensor, along with a separation means to prevent mucosal contact and an optional LED for placement assistance, transmitting data wirelessly or via direct connection to a processing receiver/data recorder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional pH measurement catheters are inserted through the nose into the esophagus to measure pH, then pH measurement capability is achieved, but patient comfort deteriorates and invasiveness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pH measurement function from the invasive esophageal catheter context and relocates it to the less invasive oropharyngeal region. The sensor is positioned above the upper esophageal sphincter where it can detect reflux events without requiring deep esophageal insertion, thereby maintaining measurement capability while improving patient comfort and reducing invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protective coating on the sensor surface that acts as an intermediary layer. This coating allows the sensor to function in the humid oropharyngeal environment without direct contact with mucosal tissues, preventing fouling and contamination while maintaining pH measurement accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If pH sensor is placed higher in the airway for easier placement, then ease of insertion improves, but sensor dehydration occurs and measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the environmental parameters at the sensor surface by introducing a protective coating that maintains hydration. This coating modifies the local microenvironment to prevent dehydration even when the sensor is positioned higher in the oropharynx, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while allowing easier insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective coating serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the sensor and the humidified airway environment. It prevents direct evaporation and dehydration of the sensor while allowing it to remain in the optimal position for detecting reflux events.
3Stability of the object's composition
If pH sensor directly contacts mucosal tissue for stable positioning, then positioning stability improves, but sensor contamination and fouling increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective coating as an intermediary layer between the sensor and mucosal tissue. This coating prevents direct contact and fouling while maintaining stable positioning through the catheter structure, thereby preserving measurement reliability without sacrificing positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sensor structure into distinct functional zones: a protected sensing surface for accurate measurement, a protective coating layer for contamination prevention, and a catheter structure for stable positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally.
4Measurement precision
If invasive catheter placement is used to ensure proper sensor positioning, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity and placement difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex esophageal placement requirement and replaces it with simpler oropharyngeal positioning. The sensor is designed to be placed in the oropharynx above the upper esophageal sphincter, eliminating the need for deep esophageal insertion and associated complexity while maintaining the ability to detect reflux events accurately.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables comfortable, accurate, and reliable real-time pH monitoring in the upper airway, reducing patient discomfort and improving data accuracy by maintaining sensor hydration and preventing contamination, while allowing for non-invasive placement and easy data recording and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
In the humid gaseous environment of the oropharynx region, fluid condenses and deposits on the terminal surface of the pH sensor and creates an ion path between the reference wick and the antimony element
Implementation Method 2
The performance of the self-condensing sensor may be enhanced by including a hygroscopic coating
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a system for monitoring a patient's breath chemistry comprising a plurality of components, including a self-condensing pH sensor distally mounted on a catheter, a transmitter with hydration sensing circuitry for the pH sensor, and, a processing receiver/data recorder. The specifically designed self-condensing pH sensor located on the distal end of the catheter is designed to be inserted into the patient's airway. Monitoring of a patient's breath pH is accomplished by using the miniaturized self-condensing pH sensor, providing for real-time monitoring of patient airway pH values.